Removing the makeup

On a recent road trip across town, yes, I did say just across town, I thought I knew the neighborhood I was making my destination, so I refrained from turning on the GPS until I got close enough just to navigate my last few turns. To my surprise when I turned on the GPS, it didn't want to direct me to where I just knew the location was. Immediately thinking the GPS was failing me, trying to send me around the world to the location that was just a few turns ahead, I tried another GPS. To my dismay, it was redirecting me also...down a dirt road I didn't want to go down. Still not sure the GPS was correct, because it had led me to a cow pasture before stranded in the middle of nowhere, I instructed my poor husband that was succumbed to driving for this adventure, to ignore it & keep going. Finally, realizing that the GPS was not giving in to my direction, I realized I had failed in assuming the location of the destination & quickly regrouped in my mind to another neighborhood I just knew had to be it. Again, telling my husband to ignore the GPS that was trying to redirect us, let me make a long adventure short, and leave out the frustration I was causing my sweet husband that graciously followed my lead, we ended up going around the town to get to the destination that we had already passed on our adventure. Simply because I didn't want to listen to the GPS & I was relying on my own sense of direction & knowledge of town. I was was so embarrassed & frustrated that I had wasted time and had led us on this wild goose chase, but I knew there was a lesson in it for me...despite the fact that I hauled my husband along on the ride as my driver. But, maybe there was a lesson for him too. ;) My lessons: 1.) How often am I doing the same thing to God? Being the gentleman that He is, He allows me to navigate my own path as much as I want, and I often times don't realize it until I end up on "not so good dirt roads of life". But, thankfully, He doesn't get upset with me, but like my husband, He gently follows me and is there to redirect me when I submit & depend on Him to lead me. ​13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 | NIV 2.) How much time do I waste trying to do things on my own knowledge and direction, versus relying on God to navigate me? 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 | NIV 3.) I can trust in God as my GPS for life. I don't have to worry that He will lead me to a "not so good dirt road" or cow pasture stranded in the middle of nowhere. His "satellite" is the ultimate most updated version & always has the best routes. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6a | NIV So from this adventure, I will be more mindful to surrender & seek God for direction...even when it doesn't follow my "plan". 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 | NIV